Device for automatically changing magnetic disc pack

ABSTRACT

The device automatically changes a magnetic disc pack and is applicable to a reproducer in an electronic camera system wherein a subject is electronically still-photographed and recorded in a rotating magnetic disc, and the reproducing of an image is carried out by a television system or a printer. 
     In the device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack according to the present invention, the magnetic disc packs are installed in a magazine in blocks of a plural number. The magazine as a whole is set in the device for automatic change and each of the magnetic disc packs is drawn out of the magazine in accordance with a reproduction order and set in a reproducing section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for automatically changing a magneticdisc pack, and more particularly to a device for automatically changinga magnetic disc pack, suitable for the continuous reproduction of aplurality of magnetic disc packs having recorded therein still imageinformation and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Recently, there has been developed an electronic still camera systemwherein an image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) oran image pickup tube is combined with a recording device using amagnetic disc which is inexpensive as a recording medium and yet has acomparatively high memory capacity. In operation, a subject isstill-photographed electronically and recorded into a rotating magneticdisc, and the reproduction of an image is carried out by a televisionsystem, a printer and the like, which are separately provided.

The magnetic disc utilized in the above-described system is generallyused in the form of a magnetic disc pack. The magnetic disc pack hasrotatably mounted therein a magnetic disc capable of magneticallyrecording therein still image information and the like, and is used, bybeing installed in a rotary magnetic disc device assembled into anelectronic camera or the like.

On the other hand, recently, there has been utilized a so-calledtelevision photo album, wherein photographed subjects such asphotographic negative films, prints and the like are recorded forstorage in a magnetic disc for an electronic camera and, reproduced by areproducer as necessary, the images being projected on a screen of atelevision for entertainment. Along with this, such a service willshortly become available that, similarly to the photographic printservice, photographic pictures formed on a negative film and the likeare image-sensed in a photographic processing laboratory, recorded in amagnetic disc, and the magnetic disc thus recorded is delivered to acustomer.

Now, with the above-described television photo album, there are somecases where it is desired to continuously reproduce a plurality ofmagnetic discs on a television screen. In such cases as described above,it is troublesome to install the magnetic disc packs one after anotheron a reproducer. In consequence, if there would be a device forautomatically changing a magnetic disc pack, wherein a plurality ofmagnetic disc packs are installed in the reproducer at a time and themagnetic disc packs are conveyed one after another to a reproducingsection in accordance with a predetermined reproduction order, then itwould be very convenient.

Now, in such a device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack asdescribed above, it may be very convenient that the magnetic disc packsare installed in a magazine in blocks of a plural number such as forexample ten, and the magazine as a whole is set in the device forautomatic change and each of the magnetic disc packs is drawn out of themagazine in accordance with a predetermined reproduction order and setin the reproducing section.

In the device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack of thetype described, if the magazine is inserted into the device forautomatic change in a wrong direction, then the magnetic disc pack maynot be drawn out of the device for automatic change, and, if themagazine is excessibly forcibly pushed into the device for automaticchange, then the magazine and/or the device for automatic change may bedamaged.

Furthermore, on the magazine of the above-described device forautomatically changing a magnetic disc pack, there is provided a lid forpreventing the magnetic disc pack from falling off the magazine. In thedevice for automatic change, the magazine lid of this type must be in anopen state so as to draw out the magnetic disc pack therefrom. It istroublesome to manually perform the operation of opening the lid eachtime the magazine is inserted into the device for automatic change, andfurther, there is a possibility of inserting the magazine into thedevice for automatic change, with the magazine lid being closed.

Furthermore, with the magazine of the magnetic disc pack of the typedescribed, the position and shape of opening of the magazine for drawingthe magnetic disc pack out of the magazine in the device for automaticchange and for loading the magnetic disc pack should be accomplishedwithout any wasteful motion.

Additionally, it is necessary to house the magnetic disc packs in themagazine being aligned in a predetermined direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed to obviate the above-describeddisadvantages of the prior art and has as another object thereof theprovision of a device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack,wherein a plurality of magnetic disc packs can be automatically set oneafter another in a reproducing section in accordance with apredetermined reproduction order.

To the above end, the present invention contemplates that, in a devicefor automatically changing a magnetic disc pack, wherein a magazineloaded therein with a plurality of magnetic disc packs each housingtherein a magnetic disc is inserted and each of the magnetic disc packsin drawn out of the magazine in accordance with a predetermined orderand set in a reproducing section, the device for automatic changecomprises:

a main body of device;

a magazine reciprocation means insertable and withdrawable through anopening formed in the front surface of the main body of device, forreciprocating the magazine in the axial direction of the main body;

a random access mechanism for reciprocating the magazine of the mainbody of device in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the axialdirection and moving the magnetic disc pack selected in accordance witha predetermined reproduction order to a position where a holder isstanding by;

a magnetic disc pack carrying mechanism capable of being reciprocatinglymovable in the axial direction, for drawing out of the magazine the discpack selected to a position opposed to the holder by the random accessmechanism and inserting the magnetic disc pack after the reproductioninto the magazine;

a shutter opening-closing mechanism provided on the holder, for openinga shutter when the magnetic disc pack is inserted into the holder andclosing the shutter when the magnetic disc pack is drawn out of theholder; and

a magnetic disc pack loading mechanism capable of reciprocatingly movingthe magnetic disc pack in the holder in a direction perpendicularlyintersecting the axial direction, for guiding the magnetic disc pack toa position where the magnetic disc pack is mounted to a driving shaft ofthe reproducing section.

Furthermore, the present invention has been developed to obviate theabove-described disadvantages of the prior art and has its object theprovision of a device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack,wherein a magnetic disc pack can be drawn one after another out of themagazine inserted into the device for automatic change.

To the above end, the present invention contemplates that, in a devicefor automatically changing a magnetic disc pack, wherein the device isinserted thereinto with a magazine having loaded therein a plurality ofmagnetic disc packs each housing therein a magnetic disc and formedthereon with a recess for engagement, and the magnetic disc packs aredrawn one after another out of the magazine in accordance with apredetermined order and set in a reproducing section, the device forautomatic change comprises: a carry-out member having a pawl engageablewith the aforesaid recess; and a cam for engaging the pawl of thecarry-out member with the aforesaid recess when the magnetic disc packis drawn out, and retracting the pawl from the recess during loading.

Furthermore, the present invention has been developed to obviate theabove-described disadvantages of the prior art and has as its object theprovision of a device for automatically changing a magnetic disc packwith a simplified construction, capable of preventing a magazine havinghoused therein a plurality of magnetic disc packs from being erroneouslyinserted.

To this end, the present invention contemplates that, in a device forautomatically changing a magnetic disc pack, wherein a magazine loadedtherein with a plurality of magnetic disc packs each housing therein amagnetic disc is inserted and each of the magnetic disc packs is drawnout of the magazine in accordance with a predetermined order and set ina reproducing section, a magazine bearer of the device for automaticchange is constructed in a manner to be insertable and withdrawable andprovided at a surface thereof for bearing the magazine with a projectionfor preventing erroneous mounting, which is complementary to a cutout ofthe magazine.

The present invention also has been developed to obviate theabove-described disadvantages of the prior art and has as a furtherobject thereof the provision of a device for automatically changing amagnetic disc pack, wherein, when a magazine is inserted into the devicefor automatic change, a lid of the magazine is automatically opened, sothat the magnetic disc pack can be taken out.

To the above end, the present invention contemplates that, in a devicefor automatically changing a magnetic disc pack, wherein a magazineloaded therein with a plurality of magnetic disc packs each housingtherein a magnetic disc is inserted and each of the magnetic disc packsis drawn out of the magazine in accordance with a predetermined orderand set in a reproducing section, a lid opening-closing member isprovided in an area where the magazine is inserted, and the lidopening-closing member is rotated in association with the insertingoperation of the magazine, to thereby open a magazine lid.

The present invention also has been developed to obviate theabove-described disadvantages of the prior art and has as a stillfurther object thereof the provision of a magazine of a magnetic discpack, which is applicable to the interior of a device for automaticallychanging the magnetic disc pack.

To the above end, the present invention contemplates that, in a magazineof a magnetic disc pack, wherein a plurality of magnetic disc packs eachhousing therein a magnetic disc are aligned with one another and loaded,the magazine is formed with an opening for loading the magnetic discpack, an opening for drawing out the magnetic disc pack and a pluralityof grooves, through which is passed a carryout member to be engaged withthe magnetic disc pack when the magnetic disc pack is drawn out, tothereby draw the magnetic disc pack out of the magazine.

To the above end, the present invention contemplates that, in a magazineof a magnetic disc pack, wherein a plurality of magnetic disc packs eachhousing therein a magnetic disc are aligned with one another and loaded,the magazine is formed with an opening for loading the magnetic discpack and an opening for drawing out the magnetic disc pack, and theopening for drawing out the magnetic disc pack is provided thereon withan openable lid and the openable lid is formed with a sensing surfacematching with a direction regulating surface of the magnetic disc pack.

To the above end, the present invention contemplates that, in a magazineof a magnetic disc pack, wherein a plurality of magnetic disc packs eachhousing therein a magnetic disc are aligned with one another and loaded,a magnetic disc pack housing portion of the magazine is disappearinglyprovided with a sensing member, which is biased by a resilient member tobe positioned in an area where the magnetic disc pack is housed, and asurface of the sensing member abutting against the magnetic disc pack isformed in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the direction ofinsertion of the magnetic disc pack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exact nature of this invention, as well as other objects andadvantages thereof, will be readily apparent from consideration of thefollowing specification relating to the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughoutthe figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the magnetic disc pack magazine from thefront thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the magnetic disc pack magazine from therear thereof;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side sectional views of the magnetic disc packmagazine, taken along the line Y--Y in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of thedevice for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the moving direction of themagnetic disc pack in the device for automatically changing the magneticdisc pack;

FIG. 7 is a disassembled perspective view showing the construction ofthe magazine bearer;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the magazine driving mechanism in thereproducer when the magazine bearer is opened;

FIG. 9 is a side view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the magazine driving mechanism in thereproducer when the magazine bearer is closed;

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the inserted state of the magazine;

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the inserted state of the magazine;

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the mechanism for carrying the magneticdisc pack into the magazine or carrying out the same therefrom, takenalong the line Z--Z in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the mechanism for loading the magneticdisc pack;

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the loading mechanism;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing the contour of the cam;

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the magnetic disc pack;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line X--X in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another magnetic disc pack magazinefrom the front thereof;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the magnetic disc pack magazine shownin FIG. 19 from the rear thereof;

FIG. 21 is a side sectional view of the magnetic disc pack magazine,taken along the line 0--0 in FIG. 20;

FIGS. 22(A), 22(B) and 22(C) are side sectional views showing theinserted states of the magnetic disc pack; and

FIG. 23 is a side sectional view showing a modification of the magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed description will hereunder be given of the preferred embodimentof the device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack accordingto the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a magnetic disc pack used in a magneticrecorder and/or reproducer in an electronic camera or the like, and FIG.18 is a sectional view taken along the line X--X in FIG. 17. As shown inFIG. 17, the magnetic disc pack 10 is formed into a generally squareshape and has rotatably mounted therein a magnetic disc 12 capable ofrecording therein still image information and the like. The magneticdisc 12 is provided in the central portion thereof with a center core 14as being a reinforcing member, which is exposed to the outside through acircular opening 16 of the magnetic disc pack 10. The center core 14 isformed with a center hole 15. The center hole 15 is formed with anelastic piece, not shown. A driving shaft 228 to be described hereunderis coupled into the center hole 15 of the center core 14 against abiasing force of this elastic piece. The magnetic disc pack 10 is formedwith a window 18, at which is located a magnetic head to be describedhereunder. This window 18 for the magnetic head is opened or closed by aslidable shutter 20. More specifically, before the magnetic disc pack 10is inserted into a holder 76 to be described hereunder, the shutter 20closed the window 18 to prevent dust from adhering to the magnetic disc12. After the magnetic disc pack 10 is inserted into the holder 76 to bedescribed hereunder, the shutter 20 moves downward in FIG. 17 to openthe windoe 18 for the magnetic head, so that recording into the magneticdisc 12 or reproducing therefrom can be effected. In the magnetic discpack 10, a recess 22 for engaging is formed at a side edge opposite tothe shutter 20. This recess 22 is used for drawing the magnetic discpack 10 out of the magazine 25 to be described hereunder when themagnetic disc pack 10 is inserted into the holder 76. The right cornerportion of the top end of the magnetic disc pack 10 in FIG. 17 is cutaway in a tapered shape so as to form a tapered surface 24 forpreventing the magnetic disc pack 10 from being erroneously insertedinto the magazine 25. Additionally, designated at 10A is an arrow markformed on the magnetic disc pack 10, for indicating a direction ofinsertion.

FIGS. 1 to 4 are drawings showing the shape of the magnetic disc packmagazine 25, into which a plurality of e.g. ten of magnetic disc packsare loaded, FIG. 1 being a perspective view of the magnetic disc packmagazine 25 from the front, FIG. 2 being a perspective view thereof fromthe rear, and FIGS. 3 and 4 being side sectional views taken along theline Y--Y in FIG. 2. A main body 26 of the magazine is made of atransparent plastics material, formed into a box form, and the frontsurface 28 and the rear surface 30 being formed into open end faces. Afront lid 32 is provided on the front surface of the magazine 25, andthe bottom end portion of the front lid 32 is rotatably supported by themain body 26 of the magaine, so that the front surface 28 can be openedor closed. Furthermore, a rear lid 34 is provided on the rear surface30, and the rear lid 34 is rotatably provided at the top end of the mainbody 26 of magazine, so that, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear lid 34 cancover a portion, i.e. substantially one third of the rear surface 30 ofthe main body 26 of the magazine. Partition plates 35 ar arranged in themain body 26 of magazine at regular intervals. These partition plates 35are relatively low in height on the front surface's side so as to formeach partition partially upward from the bottom. However, the partitionplates 35 are relatively high in height on the rear surface's side so asto partition the magazine entirely from bottom to top. The magnetic discpacks 10 being in the vertical positions can be inserted into or takenout of spaces 37 formed by these partition plates 35. Ten of the spaces37 are formed in one magazine 25, so that ten magnetic disc packs 10 canbe housed therein.

As shown in FIG. 3, a tapered sensing surface 36 for preventing themagnetic disc pack 25 from being erroneously inserted is provided at theinside of the rear lid 34. This sensing surface 36 is opposed to thetapered surface 24 of the magnetic disc pack 10. In consequence, whenthe sensing surface 36 on the side of the magazine 25 matches with thetapered surface 24 of the magnetic disc pack 10, the magnetic disc pack10 is received in the main body 26 of magazine as shown in FIG. 3, andthe front lid 32 can be completely closed as indicated by solid lines inFIG. 3. Whereas, when the magnetic disc pack 10 is erroneously insertedin a different direction and the tapered surface 24 of the magnetic discpack 10 does not match with the sensing surface 36, as shown in FIG. 4,the magnetic disc pack 10 is not completely inserted, partially projectsfrom the magazine 25, the bottom portion 32A of the front lid 32 abutsagainst the bottom end portion 10A of the magnetic disc pack 10, and itbe becomes difficult for the front lid 32 to be completely closed. Withthis arrangement, an erroneous insertion of the magnetic disc pack 10 isfound through an incomplete closing of the front lid 32.

A toggle spring 42 is provided at a hinge portion of the rear lid 34,which is held by this toggle spring 42 at either one of two positionsincluding a closed position indicated by solid lines and an openedposition indicated by hypothetical or phantom lines in FIG. 3.

A lock mechanism, not shown, is provided on the rear lid 34, and, whenthe magazine 25 is loaded in the reproducer the lock is released by alock releasing pin, not shown, so that the rear lid 34 can be opened orclosed.

The magnetic disc packs 10 can be mounted into the spaces 37 formed bythe partition plates 35 provided on a bottom plate 48 of the magazine25, and a groove 50 is formed rearwardly of the bottom plate 48, wherebya pawl 164 for carry-out is introduced into the groove 50 as indicatedby hypothetical lines in FIG. 3 during the loading operation of themagnetic disc pack as will be described hereunder.

A cutout 52 is formed in a corner of the rear surface of the main body26 of the magazine as shown in FIG. 2. This cutout 52 has a function ofpreventing the magazine from being erroneously mounted when the magazineis set in a reproducer as will be described hereunder.

FIG. 5 shows a reproducer 54 in which is inserted the magazine havingloaded therein the magnetic disc packs described above. On the frontsurface of the reproducer 54, there is disposed a lid 56 for loading themagazine in a manner to be slidable in a direction indicated by an arrowA₁ or A₂. Also provided are a power switch 58, a start button 60, anejection button 62, a recording button 64, a display button 66, aprogram button 67 for setting a reproduction order for the magnetic discpacks, a pack change button for changing a pack half way, (i.e., notwaiting for the completion of reproduction of the pack), a forward feedbutton 70 for the magnetic head, a reverse feed button 72, a remotecontroller 74 and the like.

Description will now be given of moving directions of the magazine 25and the magazine disc pack 10 in the reproducer 54. Firstly, themagazine 25 is moved in the axial direction of the reproducer 54, i.e.in the direction indicated by the arrow A₁, as shown in FIG. 6. When themagazine 25 is completely received in the reproducer 54, the magazine 25is moved to the left in FIG. 6, i.e. in a direction indicated by anarrow B₁. A holder 76 is standing by at a predetermined position, andthe magazine 25 makes such a positioning that the magnetic disc pack 10is located at a position selected to meet the position of the holder 76,and stops thereat. Only the magnetic disc pack 10 is moved in adirection indicated by an arrow C₁ and loaded into the holder 76, withthe magazine 25 being stopped at this position. This holder 76 is movedto the side of the magnetic head, i.e. in a direction indicated by anarrow D₁, and the magnetic disc pack 10 is mounted to a rotary drivingshaft 228. To change the magnetic disc pack 10, the preceding steps arereversed, i.e. the holder 76 moves in a direction indicated by an arrowD₂, the magnetic disc pack 10 moves in a direction indicated by an arrowC₂ and the magnetic disc pack 10 is loaded at a predetermined positionof the magazine 25 in the stand-by position, and magazine 25 is randomaccessed in the direction indicated by the arrow B₁ or B₂. In thisstate, the magazine 10 is stopped at a required position, and asucceeding magnetic disc pack 10 is delivered into the holder 76. Uponcompletion of reproduction of a required number of discs, the magazineis delivered in the direction indicated by the arrow B₁, and further,sent in the direction indicated by the arrow A₂, so that the magazinecan be taken out of the reproducer 54.

Description will hereunder be given of a mounting mechanism of themagazine 25. The bottom end portions of the loading lid 56 are solidlysecured to the forward end portions of a pair of rails 78 and 78 whichare movable relative to the reproducer 54. These rails 78 and 78 areconnected to each other through a bottom plate 79. As shown in FIG. 7,the rails 78 and 78 are slidably supported by support members 80 and 80on the main body of device through bearings 82 and 82, so that amagazine loading assembly including the loading lid 56, the rails 78 andthe bottom plate 79 is movable in the axial direction of the reproducer,i.e. in the direction indicated by the arrow A₁ or A₂. One of the rails78 is formed thereon with a rack 84, which is rotatably driven by apinion 86 shown in FIG. 8. The pinion 86 is driven by a motor 88 shownin FIGS. 8 and 9. More specifically, the motor 88 rotatably drives thepinion 86 through gears 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98, which are connected to anoutput shaft of the motor 88. With this arrangement, the magazineloading assembly can advance in the axial direction (direction indicatedby the arrow A₂) and be retracted (in the direction indicated by thearrow A₁).

Description will hereunder be given of a mechanism for preventing amagazine from being erroneously inserted. As shown in FIG. 7, on themagazine loading assembly, a U-letter shaped magazine bearer 100 ismovable along a guide portion 101 shown in FIG. 9 in a directionperpendicularly intersecting the axial direction, and this magazinebearer 100 can move in directions indicated by arrows B₁ and B₂ in FIG.6. This magazine bearer 100 is provided thereon with a projection 102complementary to the cutout 52 of the magazine 25. When the magazine 25is erroneously mounted on the magazine bearer 100, i.e. the cutout 52does not match in position with the projection 102, the magazine 25 isnot properly mounted on the magazine bearer 100. In consequence, in thisstate, the magazine 25 cannot be inserted into an opening 55 of the mainbody of reproducer as shown in FIG. 5. With this arrangement, erroneousmounting of the magazine can be sensed.

The bottom plate 79 of the magazine loading assembly is provided with alock mechanism for preventing the magazine bearer 100 from moving. Morespecifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a lock lever 104 is formed with slots107 and 107. Pins 106 and 106, which are mounted on the bottom plate 79,are loosely coupled into the slots 107 and 107, so that the lock lever104 is movable within a distance permitted by the slots disposed fromthe right to the left in FIG. 8. The lock lever 104 is biased by abiasing force of a spring 108 to the left in FIG. 8, and an end portion110 thereof is positioned in a moving area of the magazine bearer 100,i.e. the moving area in the direction indicated by the arrow B₁. In thisstate, a stepped portion 100A of the magazine bearer 100 is immovablebecause of the engagement with the end portion 110. Furthermore, a pin112 is mounted on the right end portion of the lock lever 104 andengaged with a groove 115 of a rocking lever 114. When the rails 78 and78 are moved in the direction indicated by the arrow A₁ by the pinion 86from the state shown in FIG. 8, the magazine bearer 100 is moved in thedirection indicated by the arrow A₁, and an end portion 114A of therocking lever 114 abuts against a lock releasing pin 116, and therocking lever 114 rotates about a shaft 113 in the clockwise directionas shown in FIG. 10, so that the lock lever 104 can be retracted fromthe moving area of the magazine bearer 100 against the biasing force ofthe spring 108. At this time, the magazine 26 is completely installed inthe reproducer 54. In consequence, unless the magazine 25 is completelyinserted into the main body of reproducer 54, the magazine bearer 100cannot move in the direction indicated by the arrow B₁.

Description will hereunder be given of a mechanism for opening orclosing the rear lid 34. In the insertion area of the magazine 25 in thedirection indicated by the arrow A₁, a rear lid opening-closing lever118 is provided as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. More specifically, the rearlid opening-closing lever 118 is supported on the main body or thedevice in a manner to be rotatable about a shaft 120, biased by a spring122 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 11, and a pin 124 provided on theforward end portion thereof is positioned in the insertion area of themagazine 25. In consequence, when the magazine 25 is moved in thedirection indicated by the arrow A₁ along with the movement of themagazine loading assembly, a magazine rear lid lock releasing pin, notshown, provided on the main body of device abuts against the lockmechanism, not shown, provided on the magazine 25, so as to release thelock of the rear lid. Subsequently, the rear lid opening-closing lever118 abuts against an edge face of the magazine 25 on the side of theopen end 30, whereby the lever 118 rotates against the biasing force ofthe spring 122 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11. Thispush-in of the magazine 25 slowly rotates the rear lid opening-closinglever 118 in the counterclockwise direction, whereby the rear lid 34 isslowly opened. The lever 118 abuts against a switch 126 at a positionwhere the rear lid 34 is completely opened, so as to close the switch126. Upon closing of the switch 126, the bearer 110 performs thesucceeding action, i.e. moves in the direction indicated by the arrowB₁. As described above, unless the bearer 100 is completely insertedinto the reproducer 54, the bearer 100 does not move in the directionindicated by the arrow B₁. Additionally, the switch 126 can perform anadditional function of detecting the presence of the magazine. Thespring 122 is formed into a torsional compression spring, and swings tothe right as shown in FIG. 12 while the magazine 25 returns in thedirection indicated by the arrow B₂, so as to close a switch 128. Theswitch 128 detects the return of the magazine 25, and, when the switch128 is closed, the magazine 25 is moved in the direction indicated bythe arrow A₂.

Description will hereunder be given of the random access mechanism.Referring to FIG. 7 again, a rack plate 130 is secured to theundersurface of the magazine bearer 100, and the rack plate 130 isresiliently supported on the bearer 100 through a spring or the like,not shown. The rack plate 130 is in mesh with a pinion 132 as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10 at the final insertion position of the magazine indirection indicated by the arrow A₁. When the rack plate 130 and thepinion 132 are in mesh with each other, the rack plate 130 isresiliently supported by the bearer 100, whereby the rack plate 130 ismovable while in mesh, so that the rack plate 130 can easily be broughtinto mesh with the pinion 132. A gear identical with the pinion 132 isdisposed upwardly of the pinion 132 in FIG. 10 as a pinion 134. Thesepinions 132 and 134 are driven by a motor 136. More specifically, a gear138 provided on an output shaft of the motor 136 is in mesh with a gear140, which is integrally formed thereon with a worm 142, with which isinterlocked a worm 141 through a shaft 139, which formed integrally onthe worm 142. The worm 141 integrally formed on the shaft 139 rotatesthe pinion 132 through gears 144 and 146, and further, rotates thepinion 134 through gears 151 and 152.

As shown in FIG. 7, a position control plate 152 is provided on theundersurface of the magazine bearer 100, and pins 154 equal in number tothe spaces 37 of the magazine 25, into which spaces are inserted thepacks 10, are provided on the undersurface of this position controlplate 152. The position control plate 152 moves together with themagazine bearer 100, and a limit switch, not shown, is provided in amoving area of the position control plate 152, whereby the movementvalue is found by the number of the openings and closings of the limitswitch due to the movements of the position control pins 154, so that aselected magnetic disc pack 10 can be positioned as opposed to theholder 76. The movement value of the magazine need not necessarily belimited to be detected by the pins and the limit switch, and may bedetected by a slit, an optical sensor or the like.

Description will hereunder given of the carry-in and carry-out mechanismfor the magnetic disc pack with reference to FIGS. 11 and 13. As shownin FIG. 10, a rack plate 156 is provided adjacent the position where theholder 76 is provided, this rack plate 156 is solidly secured theretowith a base 159 of a carry-out lever 158 shown in FIG. 13, and thecarry-out lever 158 is provided on the base 159 in a manner to berotatable about a shaft 160. The carry-out lever 158 is biased by aspring 162 in a manner to be rotatable in the clockwise direction inFIG. 13. In abutting contact with a cam surface 163B or 163C of a cam163, the carry-out lever 158 is inclined as indicated by two-dots chainlines in FIG. 13. However, when a pin 158A at the rear end portion ofthe carry-out lever 158 is pressed by a cam surface 163A of the cam 163,the carry-out lever 158 is erected as indicated by solid lines in FIG.13. The carry-out lever 158 is provided at the forward end portionthereof with a pawl 164, which has a size so small as to be able to passthrough the groove 50 of the magazine 25. In consequence, when the pawl164 is erected by the cam 163 and positioned in the groove 50 as shownin FIG. 13, the pawl 164 is coupled into the recess 22 of the magneticdisc pack 10 housed in the magazine 25. In this state, when the rackplate 156 is moved to the left in FIG. 13, only the magnetic disc pack10 engaged with the pawl 164 is moved and drawn out of the magazine 25which is standing by at the same position, moved on a pack guide 166,and received in the holder 76 which has been standing by. The holder 76is formed into an U-letter shape and the pack guide 166 is provideddownwardly of the holder 76, so as to guide the magnetic disc pack 10into the holder 76. When the magnetic disc pack 10 is inserted into theholder 76, the shutter 20 thereof is released and the magnetic disc pack10 is clamped by a spring, not shown, in the holder 76. When themagnetic disc pack 10 is completely received in the holder 76, thecarry-out lever 158 is released from the abutting contact with the camsurface 163A, and rotated again by the spring 162 in the clockwisedirection to be inclined, whereby the pawl 164 is disengaged from therecess 22 of the magnetic disc pack 10, so that the magnetic disc pack10 can be freed from the carry-out lever 158.

Description will hereunder be given of a driving force transmissionmechanism of the motor 168 with reference to FIG. 10. A gear 170provided on an output shaft of the motor 168 is in mesh with a gear 172and a worm 174 integrally formed with this gear 172 is in mesh with aworm gear 176. A gear 177 integrally formed with the worm gear 176 is inmesh with a gear 226, and the gear 226 is in mesh with a gear 224 aswell. The gear 226 is formed integrally on a cam 196. A gear 178 iscoaxially provided on the gear 224 which is connected to the gear 178through a clutch mechanism. This gear 178 can advance (in a directionC₁) and return (in a direction C₂) the rack plate 156 through a gear 180and a pinion 182.

In consequence, a turning force of the motor 168, when the clutch isreleased, is transmitted to the gear 178 as a driving force so as tomove the rack plate 156, however, when the clutch is released, istransmitted only to the gear 224 so as to rotate the cam 196 only.

Description will hereunder be given of the mechanism for loading themagnetic disc pack 10 with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. As shown inFIG. 14, a first movable plate 184 is provided at one end portion of theholder 76. This first guide plate 184 is supported on a guide bar 188through support plates 186 and 186 which are provided on theundersurface of the first movable plate 184 in a manner to be slidableto the right and the left in FIG. 14. A rocking lever 192, whose one endis provotally supported on a pin 191 on the main body's side as shown inFIG. 15, is provided on the first movable plate 184 through a spring190, and a follower 194 projectingly provided on this lever 192 is movedby a cam 196 shown in FIG. 16. More specifically, the follower 194 iscoupled into a groove 198 of the cam 196, and movably controls the firstmovable plate 184 to the right and the left through the rotation of thecam 196, so as to cause the holder 76 to perform a loading action or anunloading action. On the other hand, a plate 200 is provided with secondmovable plate 202 which is supported on a guide bar 206 through supportplates 204 and 204 in a manner to be movable to the right and the leftin FIG. 14. The second movable plate 202 is provided with a rockinglever 210 whose one end is pivotally supported on a pin 209 on the mainbody's side through a spring 208, and this lever 210 is formed with afollower 212, which is controlled by the cam 196.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the follower 212 is coupled intoa groove 214 of the cam 196, whereby the second movable plate 202 ismovably controlled to the right and the left through the rotation of thecam 196. The plate 200 is provided thereon with a center core urgingmember 216 and with another plate 220 through springs 218 and 218. Thisplate 200 is provided thereon with a regulator plate 222. Duringloading, the center core 14 of the rotary magnetic disc 12 in themagnetic disc pack 10 is urged toward a driving shaft 228 by the coreurging member 216 to make the mounting of the magnetic disc perfect andthe regulator plate 222 is located at a position opposed to the magnetichead during the reproduction of the magnetic record to have a functionof making the magnetic disc lie along the magnetic head.

The following is the action of the device for automatically changing amagnetic disc pack according to the present invention with theabove-described arrangement. Firstly, the loading lid 56 is drawn outinto a state shown in FIG. 5 and the magazine 25 housing therein themagnetic disc packs is rested on the bearer 100. When the start button60 is pressed in this state, the motor 88 is rotated normally and thepinion 86 is rotated, whereby the rails 78 are drawn into the reproducer54 in the direction indicated by the arrow A₁, through the rack 84 beingin mesh with the pinion 86.

The magazine 25 is drawn in the direction indicated by the arrow A₁,whereby the rear lid opening-closing lever 118 shown in FIG. 11 rotatesto open the rear lid 34. When the magazine 25 is completely received inthe reproducer 54, the pin 124 of the opening-closing lever 118 abutsagainst the switch 126 to actuate the same, whereby the motor 88 isstopped in operation, and subsequently, the motor 136 for driving thebearer 100 is rotated normally.

When the motor 136 is rotated normally, the pinions 132 and 134 arerotated, whereby the bearer 100 is moved in the direction indicated bythe arrow B₁. The limit switch, not shown counts the number of the pins154 of the position control plate 152, which have passed, and, when theselected magnetic disc pack 10 comes to the position opposed to theinsertion opening of the holder 76, the pack 10 stops. When the motor168 rotates normally at this position, the turning force from the motor168 moves the rack plate 156 in the direction indicated by the arrow C₂through the gears 170 to 172. This movement of the rack plate 156 makesthe pawl 164 of the carry-out lever 158 engage the recess 22 of themagnetic disc pack 10. In this state, when the carry-out lever 158together with the rack plate 156 move toward the holder 76 (in thedirection C₁), the magazine 25 remains at the same position and only themagnetic disc pack 10 is loaded into the holder 76, sliding on the packguide 166. When the pack 10 is completely received in the holder 76, thecarry-out lever 158 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 13, soas to free the magnetic seat pack 10 in the holder 76, and the clutchmechanism is released, whereby only the cam 196 continues to rotate.

When the cam 196 rotates, firstly, the holder 76 moves in a directionindicated by an arrow D₁ to mount the magnetic disc of the magnetic discpack 10 to the rotary driving shaft 228, subsequently, the plates 200and 220 move to urge the center core 14 of the magnetic disc 12 towardthe driving shaft 228 by use of the center core member 216, and theregulator plate 222 is located at a predetermined position, so that themagnetic disc in the magnetic disc pack 10 can be magnetically recordedor reproduced. When the cam 196 is rotated reversely upon completion ofreproduction, the holder 76, the plates 200 and 220 are moved in adirection reverse to the above direction, i.e. a direction indicated byan arrow D₂, thus performing and unloading operation. In this state,again, the pawl 154 of the carry-out lever 156 is coupled into therecess 22 in the magnetic disc pack 10. In this state, when the rackplate 156 is moved forwardly, the magnetic disc pack 10 is drawn out ofthe holder 76 and inserted into the original position in the magazine 25which has been standing by.

The magazine 25 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow B₁ orB₂ in accordance with a present order of production for the magneticdisc pack 10, the magnetic disc packs in the magazine 25 are taken outone after another and reproduced in accordance with the above-describedoperations. Upon completion of reproduction of all of the packs, themotor 136 is rotated reversely, whereby the magazine 25 is moved in thedirection indicated by the arrow B₂. When the bearer 100 for themagazine 25 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow B₂ andpositioned on the rails 78, the side surface of the magazine 25 abutsagainst the pin 124 of the rear lid opening-closing lever 118 as shownin FIG. 12 so as to actuate the switch 128. When the switch 128 isactuated, the motor 136 is stopped in operation, the motor 88 rotatesreversely, the bearer 100 is drawn out in the direction indicated by thearrow A₂, and the magazine 25 can be taken out of the reproducer 54.

FIGS. 19 to 21 are drawings showing the configuration of the magneticdisc pack magazine 25 loaded therein with a plurality, e.g. ten ofmagnetic disc packs, FIG. 19 being a perspective view from the frontthereof, FIG. 20 being a perspective view from the rear thereof and FIG.21 being a sectional view taken along the line 0--0 in FIG. 20.

As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, on the top surface of the main body 26 ofmagazine, there are provided ten of pack sensing members 31 opposed tothe spaces 37 which are the portions for housing the magnetic disc packs10. Each of the pack sensing members 31 is disappearingly provided ineach of holes 33A of an intermediate wall 33 of the main body 26 ofmagazine an biased by a disc spring 47 so that a raised portion 43formed at the bottom end portion of the pack sensing member 31 can bepositioned in the insertion area of the magnetic disc pack 10. Theinsertion side of the magnetic disc pack 10, i.e. the left side in FIG.21 is formed to provide a obstructing surface 43A having a surfaceperpendicularly intersecting the inserting direction of the pack,whereby erroneous insertion of the magnetic disc pack 10 can bedetected. More specifically, when the magnetic disc pack 10 with itstapered surface 24 being disposed at the right side is normally insertedas shown in FIG. 22(A), the pack sensing member 31 is urged up againstthe biasing force of the disc spring 47 by the tapered surface 24 asshown in FIG. 22(B), so that the magnetic disc pack 10 can be inserted.Whereas, when the magnetic disc pack is erroneously inserted, the sideedge 10A of the magnetic disc pack abuts against the obstructing surface43A as shown in FIG. 22(C), whereby any further insertion becomesimpossible, so that the erroneous insertion of the magnetic disc pack 10can be detected.

The top end portion 39 of the pack sensing member 31 is positioned in ahole 26A of the main body 26 of the magazine 25 as shown in FIG. 21 whenthe magnetic disc pack 10 is not inserted yet. However, when themagnetic disc pack 10 is inserted to push up the sensing member 31 asshown in FIG. 22(B), the sensing member 31 projects from the hole 26A.In consequence, when a switch 40 is provided on the side of the devicefor automatic change, if the magnetic disc pack 10 is housed, then theswitch 40 is closed at the time of random access, so that the presenceof the magnetic disc pack 10 in the magazine can be detected.Furthermore, when the switches 40 equal in number to the sensing members31 are provided, the presence and position of the magnetic disc pack 10can be detected simultaneously with the insertion of the magazine 25into the device for automatic change, and the presence and position arestored by a controller, whereby positions, where the packs are absent,are skipped, so that wasteful movements can be minimized.

Here, the top end portion 39 of the pack sensing member 31 need notnecessarily be projected from the hole 26A, and the switch 40 may belocated at the hole 26A.

A tapered surface 43B is formed on the raised portion 43 at a sideopposite to the obstructed surface 43A. The provision of the taperedsurface 43B aims at that, upon completion of the loading operation to bedescribed hereunder, during returning movement of the magnetic disc pack10 to the magazine, the receiving of the magnetic disc pack 10 into themagazine 25 is not obstructed by the sensing member 31. In consequence,as shown in FIG. 23, with the magazine 25 of the type of one-wayinsertion, the tapered surface 43B can be dispensed with. Furthermore,the biasing force for the sensing member 31 need not necessarily belimited to the disc spring 47, and a coil spring 41 may be used as shownin FIG. 23.

In the device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack accordingto the present invention, the device comprises: the magazine carry-inand carry-out mechanism for carrying in and out the magazine in theaxial direction of the main body of device; the random access mechanismfor moving the magazine in the direction perpendicularly intersectionthe axical direction and moving the selected magnetic disc pack to theposition where the holder is standing by; the magnetic disc packcarry-in and carry-out mechanism for drawing the magnetic disc pack outof the magazine and inserting the same into the holder, and drawing themagnetic disc pack out of the holder upon completion of reproduction andinserting the same into the magazine; the shutter opening-closingmechanism for opening the shutter of the magnetic disc pack when themagnetic disc pack is inserted into the holder and closing the shutterwhen the magnetic disc pack is drawn out of the holder; and themechanism for loading the magnetic disc pack, for moving the holder inthe direction perpendicularly intersecting the axial direction andguiding the magnetic disc pack to the position where the magnetic discpack is mounted on the driving shaft of the reproducting section, sothat, in continuously reproducing the plurality of magnetic disc packs,the magnetic disc packs can be automatically and continuously reproducedwithout setting the magnetic disc packs one after another, and no muchspaces are required for the movement of the magazine and the loadingoperation of the magnetic disc pack, thus providing the compact devicein size.

In the device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack accordingto the present invention, the carry-out member having the pawlengageable with the recess for engagement of the magnetic disc pack isprovided, the pawl of the carry-out member is engaged with the recess ofthe magnetic disc pack by use of the cam during draw-out of the magneticdisc pack and retracted from the recess during unloading, so that themagnetic disc pack can be reliably drawn out of the magazine.

As has been described hereinabove, in the device for automaticallychanging a magnetic disc pack according to the present invention, acutout is formed on the magazine and a projection engageable with thecutout is provided on the magazine bearer on the side of the device forautomatic change, so that erroneous insertion of the magazine can beavoided by use of a simplified construction without resorting toelectrically detecting means or the like.

In the device for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack accordingto the present invention, the lid opening-closing member is provided inthe insertion area of the magazine, and the lid opening-closing memberis operated in association with the inserting operation of the magazineto open the lid of the magazine, whereby the opening operation of themagazine lid can be reliably performed, so that the magnetic disc packis not set in the device for automatic change in the state where themagazine lid is closed.

In the magazine of the magnetic disc pack according to the presentinvention, the magazine is formed with: the opening for loading themagnetic disc pack; the opening for drawing out the magnetic disc packduring loading; and the opening for passing the conveying member to drawout the magnetic disc pack during loading, so that the magazine can beapplied to the device for automatically changing the magnetic disc pack.

In the magazine of the magnetic disc pack according to the presentinvention, the magazine is formed with the opening for loading themagnetic disc pack and the opening for drawing out the magnetic discpack, the openable lid is provided on the opening for drawing out themagnetic disc pack, and the sensing surface matching with the directionregulating surface of the magnetic disc pack is formed on this openablelid, so that erroneous insertion of the magnetic disc pack into themagazine can be avoided.

In the magazine of the magnetic disc pack according to the presentinvention, the disappearing sensing member is provided on the portion ofthe magazine for housing the magnetic disc pack and this sensing memberis pushed up by the direction regulating surface of the magnetic discpack to retract from the housing portion, so that erroneous insertion ofthe magnetic disc pack into the magazine can be avoided.

It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limitthe invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, alternate constructions andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for automatically changing a magneticdisc pack, wherein a magazine loaded with a plurality of magnetic discpacks is inserted in said device, and each magnetic disc pack contains amagnetic disc, said device withdrawing a selected magnetic disc packfrom said plurality of magnetic disc packs out of said magazine inaccordance with a predetermined reproduction order and setting saidselected magazine disc pack in a reproducing section within said devicefor reproduction of an image stored on said disc, said device forautomatic change comprising:a main body having an axis defining an axialdirection; a magazine reciprocation means for inserting and withdrawingsaid magazine through an opening formed in a front surface of said mainbody to reciprocate said magazine in the axial direction of said mainbody; a random access means cooperating with said magazine reciprocationmeans for reciprocating said magazine in the main body in a transversedirection perpendicularly intersecting the axial direction and movingthe magnetic disc pack selected in accordance with a predeterminedreproduction order to a position adjacent a holder within said mainbody; a magnetic disc pack carrying means reciprocatingly movable in theaxial direction, for withdrawing from said magazine said selected discpack to a position opposed to said holder of the random access mechanismand inserting said magnetic disc pack into said magazine afterreproduction; a shutter opening-closing means for opening and closing ashutter of said magnetic disc pack relative to insertion and withdrawalof said magnetic disc pack; and a magnetic disc pack loading meanscooperating with said holder for reciprocatingly moving said magneticdisc pack in said holder in the transverse direction perpendicularlyintersecting the axial direction, and for guiding said magnetic discpack to and from a reproduction position where said magnetic disc packis mounted onto a driving shaft of said reproducing section.
 2. A devicefor automatically changing a magnetic disc pack as set forth in claim 1,wherein each of said magnetic disc packs includes a recess, and saidmagnetic disc pack carrying means includes a pawl selectively engageablewith said recess and a cam for moving the pawl into selective engagementwith said recess, said cam being linked to said magnetic disc carryingmeans by linkage means for moving said pawl to engage said recess forconveying said magnetic disc pack out of and into said magazine, andretracting the pawl from said recess at a predetermined position.
 3. Adevice for automatically changing a magnetic disc pack as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said random access means includes a magazine bearercooperating with magazine reciprocation means and insertable into andwithdrawable from said magazine reciprocating means, said magazinebearer having a surface for bearing said magazine, said surfaceincluding a projection selectively engaging a complementary cut outformed on a matching surface of said magazine for preventing erroneousmounting of said magazine in said magazine bearer.
 4. A device forautomatically changing a magnetic disc pack as set forth in claim 1,wherein said magazine includes a lid, and a lid opening-closing memberis linked with said magazine reciprocation means to rotate said lidopening-closing member in response to axial reciprocation of saidmagazine to thereby open and close said magazine lid.
 5. A magazine asset forth in claim 1 wherein said shutter opening-closing means isprovided on said holder, the shutter of said magnetic disc pack openingwhen said magnetic disc pack is inserted into said holder by saidmagnetic disc pack carrying means, and closing when said magnetic discpack is withdrawn from said holder.